Differential Effects of 2 Rehabilitation Programs Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Context-The muscular function restoration related to the type of physical rehabilitation followed after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) using autologous hamstring tendon graft in terms of strength and cross sectional area (CSA) remain controversial. Objective-To analyze the CSA and force output of quadriceps and hamstring muscles in subjects following either an Objective Criteria-Based rehabilitation (OCBR) algorithm or the usual care (UCR) for ACL rehabilitation in Spain, before and one year after undergoing an ACLR. Design-Longitudinal clinical double blinded randomized controlled trial. Setting-Sports-medicine research center. Patients-40 recreational athletes, 30 male, 10 female (24 ± 6.9 y, 176.55 ± 6,6 cm, 73.58 ± 12.3 kg). Intervention-Both groups conducted differentiated rehabilitation procedures after ACLR. Those belonging to OCBR group were guided in their recovery according to the current evidence-based principles. UCR group followed the national conventional approach for ACL r...